The White House has reaffirmed its commitment to imposing significant tariffs on April 2, as President Donald Trump prepares to implement reciprocal levies in a major escalation of his trade war.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Thursday, March 20, that Trump remains firm on the deadline.
Her statement comes despite earlier remarks from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who hinted that Washington might first present each country with an assessment of their trade barriers before enforcing the tariffs.
Leavitt emphasized the administration’s stance, stating, “There will be big announcements when it comes to reciprocal trade,” adding that Trump is determined to highlight “the unfair trade practices” that have led to the U.S. being “ripped off by every country around the world, quite frankly.”
Trump’s tariff plan is expected to target both U.S. allies and economic rivals, aiming to counter trade policies that his administration considers unfair.
However, the specifics of the tariffs, including which nations will be affected and the extent of the levies, have yet to be fully disclosed.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent provided some insight into the upcoming measures, stating that on April 2, each country “will receive a number that we believe represents their tariffs.”
He explained that Washington would also share details on “tariff levels, non-tariff barriers, currency manipulation, unfair funding, and labor suppression.”
Although the White House has signaled a firm approach, Bessent suggested that there may be room for negotiation.
He noted that if countries adjust their trade policies accordingly, the tariffs may not be enforced.
“We will not put up the tariff wall” if necessary changes are made, he said.
Furthermore, some tariffs might not take immediate effect if pre-arranged negotiations take place or if countries seek urgent discussions with Washington.
This leaves the door open for diplomatic resolutions before the full implementation of the trade measures.
The planned tariffs mark a critical moment in Trump’s trade policy, reinforcing his long-standing view that the U.S. should no longer bear the burden of what he sees as unfair international trade practices.
As the April 2 deadline approaches, businesses and international markets will be watching closely to see how these trade policies unfold and whether any last-minute negotiations will alter the course of Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy.
